A FORMER shoe shop is set to become a Mexican restaurant.

Pancho’s Cantina has applied to take over the empty Victoria Shoes shop in Rayleigh High Street and give it a colourful Latin American makeover.

The news has divided locals, with many people concerned about the number of disappearing shops transforming Rayleigh into a ghost town during the day.

Pat Laverty, from Shoebury, has run Pancho’s, in London Road, Westcliff, for 15 years, and promises a good atmosphere and reasonably priced food, if Rochford District Council agrees to the change of use.

He said: “We see Rayleigh as being the next Leigh and believe the people of the town would like it to be like Leigh, with its wide range of restaurants.

“A Pancho’s will add a bit of colour to the High Street.”

The shop at 129 High Street has been empty since Victoria Shoes closed about six months ago.

The application follows news that Italian restaurant chain Ask is set to open in the empty Woolworths shop in the High Street.

Mr Laverty believes the restaurant will add to the town’s night time economy, while also bringing people to the High Street during the day, as it plans to open from 9am serving breakfasts, coffees and tapas-style lunches.

It will cater for parties for all ages, as well as intimate dinners and can seat up to 90 diners over two floors, just like the Westcliff restaurant. It will also create up to 14 new jobs.

Mr Laverty added: “We have got our fingers crossed.

“We were attracted to it because it’s similar to our current place and hopefully will be really busy. By being open in the day we’ll attract people down to that end of the High Street.

“We want to bring more variety and colour and liven up the High Street.

“We’d like to roll out the brand to Rayleigh.

“We provide good food at reasonable prices and a great atmosphere with Latin and party music, so it’s just down to people to come along and enjoy themselves.”